LeBlanc has lengthy and constructive meeting with Lutnick in Washington

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary to Discuss Tariff Relief

In a bid to find relief from President Donald Trump’s tariffs on key Canadian sectors, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Tuesday. The meeting, which also included Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, was described as lengthy and constructive by LeBlanc’s office. Carney’s Chief of Staff Marc-André Blanchard is also in the U.S. capital this week.

Retaliatory Tariffs and CUSMA Agreement

Last Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will drop some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products to match American tariff exemptions for goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA. Canada had imposed 25 per cent tariffs on a variety of American goods in March, including oranges, alcohol, motorcycles, and cosmetics. The CUSMA exemption for American imports will come into effect on Sept. 1.

Focus on Key Sectors

LeBlanc has emphasized that Canada’s counter-tariffs were a major point of contention during negotiations with the Trump administration. The focus of talks with the U.S. is to reach a bilateral deal that lessens the impact of Trump’s sectoral tariffs on industries like steel, aluminum, and automobiles, ahead of an upcoming CUSMA review.

Efforts for Tariff Relief

Despite the ongoing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, efforts are being made to explore investment opportunities in areas like defence and security that could accompany tariff relief on Canadian sectors. Trump has shown reluctance to back down on his global tariff regime, citing the benefits to domestic manufacturing and the influx of money into federal coffers.

Overall, Ottawa’s focus remains on key areas being affected by Trump’s tariffs, such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, copper, and lumber. Prime Minister Carney reiterated the importance of improving outcomes in these sectors and exploring opportunities for win-win cooperation with the U.S.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 26, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press